Haaretz: Israel's mental health system is collapsing
Israel's Haaretz newspaper has reported that as Israel's mental health system faces the risk of collapse, several psychiatrists are leaving for England in search of a better life.
The newspaper has added that the cut of mental health doctors comes at a time when the demand for mental health services in Israel is increasing due to the Gaza war, and that last week the heads of mental health centers sent a letter to the State Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, warning that "Israel's mental health system is about to completely collapse." Matanyahu Englman The newspaper quoted a high-ranking official in Israel's mental health system who has spoken to a psychiatrist saying: "What makes them leave is frustration due to too much work and not feeling that the situation will improve, and considering the current situation, the burden of work will increase." The newspaper reported that the demand for psychiatrists has increased since the outbreak of war in Gaza, and that "Hamas' attack on October 7 has resulted in approximately 300,000 additional patients in need of specialist treatment." Israeli health workers have also warned of the dangers of the consequences and negative mental health effects of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
